Actually, if you pay attention, Martin clearly doesn't like Lewis. Crofty is the only one that's truly biased in Hamilton's favor. It's just irrational fans that claim bias every time someone has something positive to say about a driver they hate.

The sheer amount they were talking about Lewis throughout the entire China race, highlighting the gap from Hamilton to Vettel even when Vettel was leading and Hamilton was totally out of contention, etc. shows that the program is centered around Hamilton. I wouldn't say that it's necessarily pro-Hamilton all the time, but it always focuses on Hamilton.

I agree, as exediron stated from the chinese gp it was lewis this and lewis that. Vettel was leading the race and lewis was nowhere to be found. I remember thinking when they showed the gap between lewis & vettel whats the point of this stat when bottas is the one going for the undercut!!! I honestly thought i missed something and lewis was now in a position to attack.

Always thought the gaps on the graphics were from the worldwide feed, not Sky. Can't recall seeing any specific Sky graphics, although I had a sub-optimal picture. As for the Vettel Hamilton gap itself surely that's to do with the current F1 2018 story arc: Vettel v Hamilton? If it's not then Sky is also guilty of being Vettel centric in spending so much time watching Vettel fall down the order towards the end of the race. Why concentrate on someone whose fighting over the minor places?

Actually, if you pay attention, Martin clearly doesn't like Lewis. Crofty is the only one that's truly biased in Hamilton's favor. It's just irrational fans that claim bias every time someone has something positive to say about a driver they hate.

The sheer amount they were talking about Lewis throughout the entire China race, highlighting the gap from Hamilton to Vettel even when Vettel was leading and Hamilton was totally out of contention, etc. shows that the program is centered around Hamilton. I wouldn't say that it's necessarily pro-Hamilton all the time, but it always focuses on Hamilton.

I agree, as exediron stated from the chinese gp it was lewis this and lewis that. Vettel was leading the race and lewis was nowhere to be found. I remember thinking when they showed the gap between lewis & vettel whats the point of this stat when bottas is the one going for the undercut!!! I honestly thought i missed something and lewis was now in a position to attack.

Always thought the gaps on the graphics were from the worldwide feed, not Sky. Can't recall seeing any specific Sky graphics, although I had a sub-optimal picture. As for the Vettel Hamilton gap itself surely that's to do with the current F1 2018 story arc: Vettel v Hamilton? If it's not then Sky is also guilty of being Vettel centric in spending so much time watching Vettel fall down the order towards the end of the race. Why concentrate on someone whose fighting over the minor places?

possibly because he'd been fighting for the lead not long before?

I'd agree that the focus on Hamilton-Vettel gap was probably down to the WDC battle

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, [b]during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.[/b]

Quit riding the man like a cheap suit! LOL

Why does this make him a better commentator F1 MERCENARY? I have not followed Hobbs and I do not doubt that he is a fountain of knowledge, but I'm curious what does the bold bit have to do with his commentating skills??

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.

Quit riding the man like a cheap suit! LOL

Mod Edit: Banned word removed.

Have you ever heard DC's commentary? I much prefer it over Brundle's. It always seems to me that Brundle is stuck in the past, more opinionated than and not as knowledgeable about the current formula as DC.

_________________There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.

Actually, if you pay attention, Martin clearly doesn't like Lewis. Crofty is the only one that's truly biased in Hamilton's favor. It's just irrational fans that claim bias every time someone has something positive to say about a driver they hate.

The sheer amount they were talking about Lewis throughout the entire China race, highlighting the gap from Hamilton to Vettel even when Vettel was leading and Hamilton was totally out of contention, etc. shows that the program is centered around Hamilton. I wouldn't say that it's necessarily pro-Hamilton all the time, but it always focuses on Hamilton.

Or perhaps it's focusing on the two men who have been fighting each other for the championship for more than a year (more than a decade really). I seem to remember them talking about Vettel quite a bit too after he fell back in the pack following the incident. They are 1 and 2 in the standings and have been since the first race of 2017.

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, [b]during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.[/b]

Quit riding the man like a cheap suit! LOL

Why does this make him a better commentator F1 MERCENARY? I have not followed Hobbs and I do not doubt that he is a fountain of knowledge, but I'm curious what does the bold bit have to do with his commentating skills??

It has EVERYTHING to do with it.

His knowledge of the layouts of tracks from decades prior offer a wealth of insight on so many interesting levels that no other commentator ever has. He talks about speeds entering and exiting corners, how certain portions of tracks used to have different undulation, etc.

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, [b]during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.[/b]

Quit riding the man like a cheap suit! LOL

Why does this make him a better commentator F1 MERCENARY? I have not followed Hobbs and I do not doubt that he is a fountain of knowledge, but I'm curious what does the bold bit have to do with his commentating skills??

It has EVERYTHING to do with it.

His knowledge of the layouts of tracks from decades prior offer a wealth of insight on so many interesting levels that no other commentator ever has. He talks about speeds entering and exiting corners, how certain portions of tracks used to have different undulation, etc.

I now have F1 race coverage with no commercial breaks and listen to Brundle rather than Hobbs (still trying to figure out why Americans liked the guy outside of potential nostalgia). I didn't necessarily dislike Speed or NBC, but I do miss Steve Matchett commentating. but F1 viewing is now fantastic IMO. Liberty has so far made some great moves.

WHY we loved Hobbo?

Were you NOT listening! The man is a walking glossary of some of the funniest one liners you've never heard!Besides the humor, f you've ever been on a track, you'd immediately realize he actually KNOWS what he's talking about and often I found he had a better grasp than even Brundle who raced in the series several decades after Hobbo.

One thing to remember about Hobbs is that he drove during the era where drivers weren't primadona wimps and he drove all sorts of cars from varying disciplines. Mind you, [b]during the Killer Years. He may not have been an elite driver, but he was a damn good one in several disciplines and a gentlemen to boot.[/b]

Quit riding the man like a cheap suit! LOL

Why does this make him a better commentator F1 MERCENARY? I have not followed Hobbs and I do not doubt that he is a fountain of knowledge, but I'm curious what does the bold bit have to do with his commentating skills??

It has EVERYTHING to do with it.

His knowledge of the layouts of tracks from decades prior offer a wealth of insight on so many interesting levels that no other commentator ever has. He talks about speeds entering and exiting corners, how certain portions of tracks used to have different undulation, etc.

so does Brundle, to be fair

I get this, and it is the same reason why Chandok or Davidson are also very insightful, they have raced before, just like Brundle that Zoue mentions (who has raced against a certain Senna, Prost, Schumacher and Mansell if nothing else). I also enjoy the romantic revisiting of the older commentators, when DC or Brundle talk about how they did it in that race back in the day. But I was wondering why specifically the killer years and primadonna comments. Anyway

None of the commentators drove on the full layouts of the tracks. Sure they may have been considerably longer, but not the complete stretches of the tracks. Therefore not quite the same. Brundle does offer similar info but it’s not quite the same.

None of the commentators drove on the full layouts of the tracks. Sure they may have been considerably longer, but not the complete stretches of the tracks. Therefore not quite the same. Brundle does offer similar info but it’s not quite the same.

We're talking a handful of circuits, though. Hobbs never raced at the majority of circuits F1 goes to today, as far as I can tell. In that regard, Brundle has more relevant experience and insight.

Not trying to diminish Hobbs in any way and it's always interesting to have additional viewpoints and experiences.

Agreed, I guess I've been listening to Hobbo for so long that he just feels like F1 to me.Having said that, I don't dislike ANY of the other commentators outside Diffey who was an abysmally horrendous for for the sport and had very little knowledge.What I don't like about Brundle is how negative and/or bias he is on certain things. I like Damon Hill quite a bit but he doesn't call the races and from all commentary I'e watched and listened to over the past decade, the most knowledgeable and most fitting I found to be Will Buxton when he called GP2 races. he kept races fun and interesting and he'd cover all the information at breakneck lightning speed by himself whereas all other broadcasts have teams of 2 or 3 to offer up all that information in the same time span, if not more. I didn't much like Buxton initially and his bouncing arms as he spoke would drive me bananas, but once I started listening to wht he was saying, all that disappeared and I REALLY began to look forward to hearing him every week.

Agreed, I guess I've been listening to Hobbo for so long that he just feels like F1 to me.Having said that, I don't dislike ANY of the other commentators outside Diffey who was an abysmally horrendous for for the sport and had very little knowledge.What I don't like about Brundle is how negative and/or bias he is on certain things. I like Damon Hill quite a bit but he doesn't call the races and from all commentary I'e watched and listened to over the past decade, the most knowledgeable and most fitting I found to be Will Buxton when he called GP2 races. he kept races fun and interesting and he'd cover all the information at breakneck lightning speed by himself whereas all other broadcasts have teams of 2 or 3 to offer up all that information in the same time span, if not more. I didn't much like Buxton initially and his bouncing arms as he spoke would drive me bananas, but once I started listening to wht he was saying, all that disappeared and I REALLY began to look forward to hearing him every week.

Yeah I know what you mean about Brundle. I like him generally and he usually has pretty decent insights into what's going on, but he does have a habit of letting his bias creep in on occasion, which can be annoying. But overall I think he's pretty good.

There was quite a(n) (in)famous occasion - Canadian GP, I think - where it was literally a wash out and Brundle and Coulthard managed to keep a commentary going for 2 hours (I think, memory is a little hazy on the details) with no actual action happening. Was pretty impressive how they managed to keep the interest going and my respect for him as a commentator went up considerably then.

Agreed, I guess I've been listening to Hobbo for so long that he just feels like F1 to me.Having said that, I don't dislike ANY of the other commentators outside Diffey who was an abysmally horrendous for for the sport and had very little knowledge.What I don't like about Brundle is how negative and/or bias he is on certain things. I like Damon Hill quite a bit but he doesn't call the races and from all commentary I'e watched and listened to over the past decade, the most knowledgeable and most fitting I found to be Will Buxton when he called GP2 races. he kept races fun and interesting and he'd cover all the information at breakneck lightning speed by himself whereas all other broadcasts have teams of 2 or 3 to offer up all that information in the same time span, if not more. I didn't much like Buxton initially and his bouncing arms as he spoke would drive me bananas, but once I started listening to wht he was saying, all that disappeared and I REALLY began to look forward to hearing him every week.

Yeah I know what you mean about Brundle. I like him generally and he usually has pretty decent insights into what's going on, but he does have a habit of letting his bias creep in on occasion, which can be annoying. But overall I think he's pretty good.

There was quite a(n) (in)famous occasion - Canadian GP, I think - where it was literally a wash out and Brundle and Coulthard managed to keep a commentary going for 2 hours (I think, memory is a little hazy on the details) with no actual action happening. Was pretty impressive how they managed to keep the interest going and my respect for him as a commentator went up considerably then.

Yeah, I agree with both. Brundle had an axe to grind with Schumacher and it was evident. I also found amusing how Murray Walker loved Senna and Schumacher especially; he would not stop talking about him during the races. They are all human and they do have their preferences, to deny that would be silly. Some bias will always be there.

It sounds that Hobbs must be quite cool to listen to, shame we don't get him here.

It is also very evident (to me) that the ex-racers are the best commentators. Take Chandok for example, the guy is a library and has so many things to say. Similarly, Brundle, DC, Davidson, they are all so good at giving their insight.

While it's true that Hobbs had not raced at any of the Tilke circuits in F1, he did race at Silverstone, Monza, and Monaco, (the big three, in my book) Hockenheim, and some of the French tracks... and in different formulas (both F1 and endurance). His astute observations in the decades following his career reassure those of us present with him then that racing hasn't changed all that much through the years. For example, He brought comments of perspective from the Prost and Senna years that Brundle and the others could only dream about second hand... These links to the past are relevant today when comparing drivers (then and now) and similar incidents from the past.

He also had that recognizable and soothing voice easy to listen to in contrast to the sharp sounds of pit lane and other commentators, etc. He created that sense of ambiance and exclusivity that F1 puts forward above all the other motorsports, save LeMans. And as others point out, his cheeky humor was always fun to hear. Sometimes we take F1 too seriiously...

I like all the current crew, although they will take some getting used to, in part because many have similar voices (not much contrast) that I will learn to discriminate in time. The single one I never got used to was Sam Posey. Third-rate driver of limited (Indycar) experience who presumed to invoke the same Hobbs ambiance and depth of knowledge that he never acquired himself.

_________________Life-Long F1 Fan from 1965 -- More than 575 Grand Prix recorded since 1982 (all but 3), and counting...

He KIIIIILLLLS me with his ever so slooooow delivery of words! Get that thought out already and quit quivering purposely to try and Neville a little sense of importance and action and let me get on with my day and life!

Reminds me of this kid I had in a couple of my college classes... that kid spoke 20x slower than posey and every time he’d raise his hand and the teacher would pick him, everyone would be ready to bust out a pillow! Lol

He is the most ironic thing I will likely ever come across because of all the names in the world he could have had, his name was...Eric... FERRARI!

He KIIIIILLLLS me with his ever so slooooow delivery of words! Get that thought out already and quit quivering purposely to try and Neville a little sense of importance and action and let me get on with my day and life!

Some of that's just that his generation grew up in a world where everyone spoke more slowly; it's a visible progression that people have talked faster and faster as the generations have gone on.

That said, Posey is even slower than most of his age, so there's some legitimate criticism there as well. I don't like the commentators just shouting a mile a minute, but there is a happy middle ground.

He KIIIIILLLLS me with his ever so slooooow delivery of words! Get that thought out already and quit quivering purposely to try and Neville a little sense of importance and action and let me get on with my day and life!

Some of that's just that his generation grew up in a world where everyone spoke more slowly; it's a visible progression that people have talked faster and faster as the generations have gone on.

That said, Posey is even slower than most of his age, so there's some legitimate criticism there as well. I don't like the commentators just shouting a mile a minute, but there is a happy middle ground.

No, Posey is just methodically Sloooooooooow!

Some people are just that way. And a PRIME example that disproves the notion it's a generational thing… Al Unser Jr. and Al Unser Sr.Little Al is a very fast driver but a very slow talker. His dad on the other hand is a fast driver and speaks at a normal pace. No slowness to his delivery of words.

Posey is someone Larry David could have written a Seinfled episode about, like the low talker and the close talker.

I am quite aware. He's spoken that way since forever. Some folks just do.Slow talking however, will always feel like nails on a chalkboard to me. My mother in law does it when she speaks English and I tell her just say it in Spanish so we can get on with our day, and not in a disrespectful way. LOLShe loves me more than her own son so I can say things like that without offending her.

I keep having to re enter my validation code from Direct TV to access it on the ESPN app, on both y I Pad and Apple TV. It is probably Apple that is having me do that, but is anyone else having that problem?

I keep having to re enter my validation code from Direct TV to access it on the ESPN app, on both y I Pad and Apple TV. It is probably Apple that is having me do that, but is anyone else having that problem?

No, because I switched to a TV provider that ESPN doesn't recognize at all and so I can't use their wretched app anymore despite getting ESPN.

However, I used to have that problem with the NBCSN app all the time, so I think it's pretty common for these things. I use a Roku, not Apple anything.

My wife had surgery Tuesday so I’m having to do everything and as such I amWorn out and couldn’t be awake when it aired, so I’m now looking on both my DVR’s and qualy isn’t there! 😡

I jus looked for it on the guide and there’s nothing on any list. Just the race itself tomorrow morning.Anyone have any idea if it aired or not or if you see the replay at some point later today??

EDIT: Was able to download the ESPN app on my PS4 and its playing! Love my PS4!!

You probably arent gonna believe this but qualifying actually aired live on espn2 but since espn apparently “forgot” to list it in the program guide your dvr wouldnt have picked it up. I was lucky that i was watching it live so i caught their gaffe.

My wife had surgery Tuesday so I’m having to do everything and as such I amWorn out and couldn’t be awake when it aired, so I’m now looking on both my DVR’s and qualy isn’t there! 😡

I jus looked for it on the guide and there’s nothing on any list. Just the race itself tomorrow morning.Anyone have any idea if it aired or not or if you see the replay at some point later today??

EDIT: Was able to download the ESPN app on my PS4 and its playing! Love my PS4!!

You probably arent gonna believe this but qualifying actually aired live on espn2 but since espn apparently “forgot” to list it in the program guide your dvr wouldnt have picked it up. I was lucky that i was watching it live so i caught their gaffe.

We got the recording to work, but it was too short - it cut off with about 3 minutes to go in Q3. Great timing, ESPN!

Well on the whole I am beginning to like the sky sport broadcasts provided by ESPN with very few commercials. Crofty is less annoying than Leigh (It's go fast day) Diffey but both are a poor choice compared to Bob Varsha. Simon Lazenby is a good replacement for Will Buxton and a bit more laid back.

As much as I like David Hobbs it was getting close to his time to retire. Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle, Paul DiResta and Damon Hill bring a much more up to date perspective to the commentating than Hobbs has for a while.

Have not missed Matchett and his references to Maranello and the ringing of the church bells, much yet.

My ears are getting used to the British accents so that is resolving itself.

About the qualifying, I couldn't find it on Directv so I didn't get it recorded. My parents have Dish Network & it must have been listed correctly in the Dish guide because it auto recorded it for them. Find it hard to believe that the guide information could be different between the two companies, however, it certainly was this weekend. A good race this weekend!

Well on the whole I am beginning to like the sky sport broadcasts provided by ESPN with very few commercials. Crofty is less annoying than Leigh (It's go fast day) Diffey but both are a poor choice compared to Bob Varsha. Simon Lazenby is a good replacement for Will Buxton and a bit more laid back.

As much as I like David Hobbs it was getting close to his time to retire. Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle, Paul DiResta and Damon Hill bring a much more up to date perspective to the commentating than Hobbs has for a while.

Have not missed Matchett and his references to Maranello and the ringing of the church bells, much yet.

My ears are getting used to the British accents so that is resolving itself.

A good news/bad news article. No commercials, but still stuck with the Sky broadcast team.

I am mostly happy with the Sky Sport broadcast team. The color provided by Brundle, Hill, DiResta, and Herbert is pretty good. I like Simon Lazenby and don't have much to complain about in Anthony Davidson and Ted Kravits. I am not that fond of David Croft but he is definitely a step up from Leigh Diffey. Don't know why Crofty thinks he has to be such a goof. Let the color commentators and ex race drivers tell the funny stories. The job of the Race Commentator is to keep things flowing and do what narration that needs to be done.

I wish Sky would steal Bob Varsha and Dario Franchitti from the Formula E broadcasts. They are two of my favorite autosports broadcasters.

I am not that fond of David Croft but he is definitely a step up from Leigh Diffey.

A step up? I'd say a lateral step at most. Diffey shouts a lot, sure, but at least he shouts about things that are either vaguely related to racing or failing that not totally false. Crofty is liable to just talk about the (incorrect) distance to the moon for a whole practice session, or the speed of an armadillo. Honestly, I'm dreading the idea of hearing him commentating over a whole day of preseason testing.